Nothing says St. Patrick’s Day in America like green beer, green shakes, or even a green river. But I like to take time on St. Patrick’s Day to give a nod to Irish inspired products. You know the ones engraved into our pop culture hardened brains.

There are three products in this post. 3 being considered lucky by the Irish just like the shamrock.

Check out these retro ads all dating back before the 90’s. Why? Because. I like it that way.

In 1962, Lucky Charms hit the store shelves, “pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers!” Blue diamonds didn’t show up until 1975. Watch as Lucky the Leprechaun, a.k.a. Sir Charms, originally named L.C. Leprechaun tries to run from these hungry, sugar addicted children. They’re always after his lucky charms. Who can blame them? The cereal is “magically delicious”.
Lucky Charms, skateboarding to the video arcade:

Back in 1972, Irish Spring sprung forth to the men of our planet with just one scent named Ulster fragrance. As time went by, women decided they were tired of saying, “Manly, yes. But I like it too.”
Their voices were heard and today we have lots of scents to choose from.

Irish Spring, from manly soap to clean as a whistle:

This product goes way back and instead of being an American product that was inspired by Irish culture, this one is an Irish product through and through. Guinness is an Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James’s Gate, Dublin.

Guinness not only makes a perfect pint, the advertising for this Irish product has been practically perfect. They’ve created beer mats, posters and award winning ads for TV. In the 1920’s their print ads suggested the health benefits of drinking a Guinness. This made for amazing artwork and fun prints with sayings such as “Guinness is Good for You”.

Guinness, theatrical agent to serious actor:

So get clean as a whistle with Irish Spring, have a bowl of brightly colored marshmallows, and wash it down with a Guinness*!
*Only if you’re over 21, and please drink responsibly.

Halloween is almost here and I’m still searching for a costume. This year I’m contemplating the idea of being myself. What will you be for Halloween? Maybe these videos will give us some ideas.

How about something retro in plastic and polyester?

There’s always the outer space theme?

Maybe 80′s Flashback Fashion? Let’s listen to Mr. T’s advice on this one.

For all you Star Trek fans out there Klingon never goes out of Halloween style, especially if you add a little hip hop.

Alright, how about something scary? A werewolf or a vampire?

Any other ideas?

1. Winner of Most Memorable goes to this classic Coke commercial:

2. Michael J. Fox shows how far he’d go for a Diet Pepsi in this retro ad:

3. SoBe Life Water  featured Naomi Campbell and Michael Jackson’s Thriller in this ad from 2008:

4. Another from last year shows Richard Simmons, Alice Cooper and a deer almost getting hit by this distracted driver. Thank goodness they had Bridgestone Tires:

5. Here’s a banned ad from godaddy.com. You be the judge, did it really need to go into the banned vault?

You can vote for your favorite Superbowl commercial by visiting http://www.youtube.com/adblitz

You know those jingles that linger for decades? Melodies about toothpaste, bologna, and soda that pops into your head while you’re doing dishes or waiting in line at the grocery store.

Ah that’s the pop in pop culture right there. The popping! Nothing says pop culture to me than something that shouldn’t linger in our minds for decades but it’s still retrievable anyway. I might not remember the historical dates I memorized in 4th grade but I can carry the tune and spew out the lyrics to My Bologna Has a First Name, it’s M e y e r…

I’ve had a tune in my head ever since the launch of this site. It wasn’t my favorite commercial as a kid, the award for that honor would go to Shasta soda’s… I Wanna Pop Pop Pop Shasta, circa 1981, but this commercial fascinated me because it was all about a woman. She was the new woman that had it all, and then some. She could bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan and never let you forget you’re a man. I feel like that woman but without the briefcase and sexy enthusiasm about frying bacon.

What tune lingers in your head? Maybe this one too after you take a look, don’t worry it should only last a few decades.